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pris_asagiri's review against another edition
4.0
This is a reread for me and it held up very well over the years. A lot of readers don’t know or realize that this was the original story. Ender’s Game was written after to give readers a better sense of sense of who Ender was and why he does what he does.
In a lot of ways, I can see why many people prefer EG. It’s faster paced, a more recognizable world with more recognizable problems. It’s familiar and it’s fun. SotD is less so in many different ways. But it is my favorite in this series because it hits so many points on the nose about immigration, dominant cultures, bias—in science and society, and the rippling effect of our choices on other people—intentional or not.
This second read I saw a lot of flaws on the science part. On one hand, it is common enough that scientists get so involved in the micro of their study that they fail to see the macro. And in this claustrophobic community, they lack the eyes that peer review would help point out. However, it just feels unlikely that no one
The narration was uneven. I liked the multi narrators but given this community is Brazilian/Portuguese, it would have been nice if the narrators sounded somewhat South American/Portuguese. I did not like the female voice for these characters. I hardly think Valentine nor Novinha would have a wispy, breathy, girlish voice. The female narrator is a fine narrator, just not who I would have pictured for these people. The male neither.
But I do love the questions that Card asks. And there are a lot of similarities with [b:The Sparrow|334176|The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1)|Mary Doria Russell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1230829367l/334176._SY75_.jpg|3349153] in terms of our human expectations and assumptions and what that can lead to. Perhaps, until we get better with handling other cultures, we leave other life forms alone.
In a lot of ways, I can see why many people prefer EG. It’s faster paced, a more recognizable world with more recognizable problems. It’s familiar and it’s fun. SotD is less so in many different ways. But it is my favorite in this series because it hits so many points on the nose about immigration, dominant cultures, bias—in science and society, and the rippling effect of our choices on other people—intentional or not.
This second read I saw a lot of flaws on the science part. On one hand, it is common enough that scientists get so involved in the micro of their study that they fail to see the macro. And in this claustrophobic community, they lack the eyes that peer review would help point out. However, it just feels unlikely that no one
Spoiler
would even guess that the piggies didn’t murder anyone. That the deaths were honor killings. You can still have the story go on the same trajectory without making them all blind. The silence of not sharing is what catapulted these consequences. The acceptance of the limitations of not asking also contributed. But if Ella could see the similarities of the water snakes and ask the probing questions if only to herself, why did no one do the same with the piggies?The narration was uneven. I liked the multi narrators but given this community is Brazilian/Portuguese, it would have been nice if the narrators sounded somewhat South American/Portuguese. I did not like the female voice for these characters. I hardly think Valentine nor Novinha would have a wispy, breathy, girlish voice. The female narrator is a fine narrator, just not who I would have pictured for these people. The male neither.
But I do love the questions that Card asks. And there are a lot of similarities with [b:The Sparrow|334176|The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1)|Mary Doria Russell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1230829367l/334176._SY75_.jpg|3349153] in terms of our human expectations and assumptions and what that can lead to. Perhaps, until we get better with handling other cultures, we leave other life forms alone.
matthew_riot's review against another edition
4.0
Much better than Ender's Game. I was almost done after that book, this book however makes me want to keep reading the series.
jessiclees's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, interesting, thought provoking, but maybe a little too long. I think there was a lot of 'in fill' especially when he went very 'religious' or religious comparisons.
tbookstwo's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite trilogies...
- No human being, when you understand his desires, is worthless. No one's life is nothing. Even the most evil of men and women, if you understand their hearts, had some generous act that redeems them, at least a little, from their sins.
- He loved her, as you can only love someone who is an echo of yourself at your time of deepest sorrow.
- “You killed more people than anybody in history." "Be the best at whatever you do, that's what my mother always told me.”
- Every person is defined by the communities she belongs to.
- I carry the seeds of death within me and plant them wherever I linger long enough to love.
- “We've devoted our lives to learning about them!" Miro said. Ender stopped. "Not from them.”
- No human being, when you understand his desires, is worthless. No one's life is nothing. Even the most evil of men and women, if you understand their hearts, had some generous act that redeems them, at least a little, from their sins.
- He loved her, as you can only love someone who is an echo of yourself at your time of deepest sorrow.
- “You killed more people than anybody in history." "Be the best at whatever you do, that's what my mother always told me.”
- Every person is defined by the communities she belongs to.
- I carry the seeds of death within me and plant them wherever I linger long enough to love.
- “We've devoted our lives to learning about them!" Miro said. Ender stopped. "Not from them.”
dlrowdimfoyo's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third time reading this book for me, and I find it ever more beautiful every time I read it. Hence my shift from four to five stars after this third read. I read Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow before I read this, but this was the first I found truly captivating. And yet I've yet to seek out the next book in the series. Maybe soon.
There is so much compassion in this book in the heartbreaking situations the characters are faced with. So much is foreshadowed if you are a perceptive reader or if you're rereading. I think there was too much time between the first and second time I was reading it (over five years) to catch most of it, but between the second and third time was just over a year, and I still remembered much of the plot. I think this helped me appreciate the book so much more.
I also really appreciate the Introduction at the beginning: "You will make of my story what you need it to be, if you can." I think this is such a giving and generous sentiment for an author.
There is so much compassion in this book in the heartbreaking situations the characters are faced with. So much is foreshadowed if you are a perceptive reader or if you're rereading. I think there was too much time between the first and second time I was reading it (over five years) to catch most of it, but between the second and third time was just over a year, and I still remembered much of the plot. I think this helped me appreciate the book so much more.
I also really appreciate the Introduction at the beginning: "You will make of my story what you need it to be, if you can." I think this is such a giving and generous sentiment for an author.
r3b3cc4v3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lexcraftahoy's review against another edition
5.0
Even better than "Ender's Game," though it may not make sense if one has not read the first book in the series. Well-developed characters and a multi-layered mystery within a larger plot.
colormist's review against another edition
3.0
I still have no idea what the picture on the front cover is supposed to represent. The planet we spend a 95% of the time on looks nothing like this cover photo It kind of looks a bit like a Dalek.
The piggies made me cry. I'll admit it. They started talking about the definition of the future-tribe and I got all misty eyed. There's probably a scientific term for these type of things that make me cry. Thinking about the universe, the future of space travel, and hope for the future always make me cry.
Anyway, back to the book, it was okay. I didn't love it. It didn't have the awesome momentum that Ender's Game had, but the plot was just about as transparent. I was glad when Card finally explained the reproductive system--but I'm still not sure where the females come from and I can't quite discuss things here without spoilers, so I'll just suffer in silence.
The piggies made me cry. I'll admit it. They started talking about the definition of the future-tribe and I got all misty eyed. There's probably a scientific term for these type of things that make me cry. Thinking about the universe, the future of space travel, and hope for the future always make me cry.
Anyway, back to the book, it was okay. I didn't love it. It didn't have the awesome momentum that Ender's Game had, but the plot was just about as transparent. I was glad when Card finally explained the reproductive system--but I'm still not sure where the females come from and I can't quite discuss things here without spoilers, so I'll just suffer in silence.
jennievh's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this one so much that I cried while reading it. In talking to a total stranger at an airport about it, he admitted that he had cried, too. Another great Ender's Game book. Totally different setting than the first but still entrancing and fascinating. I loved the microbiology theories.
viewfromtheskye's review against another edition
3.0
i did not care much for the first half, but once Enders became involved i loved it.